The red-faced cisticola is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is widely present across sub-Saharan Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland and swamps.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
This species occupies seasonally wet or flooded lowland grasslands, sedge and papyrus swamps, and the vegetated margins of rivers and floodplains. It readily uses human-altered wetlands such as rice paddies and drainage ditches where tall grasses persist. The bird prefers dense, rank grass cover for concealment and nesting, often in mosaics of marsh and savanna. It is generally absent from dry, open short-grass areas and closed forest.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The red-faced cisticola is a small, skulking warbler best detected by its distinctive, repetitive song given from the tops of grasses or during brief display flights. It thrives in seasonally wet grasslands and marsh edges, often near rice fields and floodplains. Nests are cleverly concealed cups woven from grasses and spider silk, attached to living stems. Pairs are typically territorial during the breeding season, which often coincides with rains.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, bounding display flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, keeping low in tall grasses and sedges. During the breeding season, males sing from exposed stems or perform brief fluttering displays over territory. The nest is a small, well-hidden cup woven from fine grasses and bound with spider silk, attached to living grass blades. Breeding typically follows seasonal rains, with the female primarily handling nest construction and incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a repetitive series of high, thin chips and buzzy trills delivered at intervals, often from a perch or during a short aerial display. Calls include sharp tiks and soft tsip notes, carrying well over marshy grassland at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Warm rufous face and ear-coverts contrasting with brown to grey-brown upperparts that are lightly streaked. The underparts are whitish to buff with a pale throat and slightly warmer flanks. Tail is relatively short and graduated, with dark subterminal bars and rufous tones. Sexes are similar, though breeding birds may show fresher, richer tones.
Diet
Primarily consumes small insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, bugs, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. It gleans prey from grass stems and leaves and occasionally makes short sallies to capture flushed insects. Larvae are taken from rolled leaves or seed heads, and soft-bodied prey are preferred. Seeds may be taken opportunistically but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense, tall grasses and sedges in wet or seasonally inundated areas. Often forages along the fringes of swamps, drainage lines, and rice fields where insect abundance is high. Uses low perches to scan and then drops into cover to glean prey.
